POLICE CONSTABLES Christopher Burton and Andrew Freeman, who are accused of extorting money from a businessman, were again denied bail in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court recently.
The men were remanded by Senior Resident Magistrate Sarah Thompson-James despite a lengthy bail application by defence attorney Tom Tavares-Finson.
Tavares-Finson argued that there was no case against his clients because the allegations were fabricated by the complainant, who had malicious intentions towards them. He said during one of the periods when the businessman alleged that his clients sought money from him, Freeman was on sick leave after being shot, and Burton was on suspension, so it was impossible, for them to have sought money from the complainant.
Taveres-Finson also claimed the businessman had 'ill-will' towards his clients because they were a part of a police team who shot and killed 'Boysie', a wanted man, in April. He further claimed the businessman is a known associate of 'Boysie'.
Character testimony was also offered by Deputy Superintendent Oswald Ayres from the Hunts Bay Police Station. George Moodie, Justice of the Peace and a church elder in the Hunts Bay area, also offered character testimony
However, the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the officers and complainant were threatened. Although the officers did not receive a direct threat, one of the investigating officers said that on the last court date the complainant informed them that he received a phone call in which the officers were threatened.
Allegations are that in April 2005, the cops were among a group of policemen who took the complainant from his business-place in Cockburn Gardens, St. Andrew, to Caymanas Estate, St. Catherine, where they told him they had orders to kill him and he should pay $150,000 for them not to do it.
The court heard that the businessman complied and paid the sum. The next month, the policemen called and asked for $150,000 more, which the complainant paid. In October the same year, the officers took the complainant to Seaview Gardens, St. Andrew, and told him they had orders to kill him and he should pay $60,000 to live.
The complainant paid $50,000 and made arrangements to pay the balance. He, however, reported the matter and a sting operation was set up by detectives from the Professional Standards Branch, near the Hagley Park Seventh-day Adventist Church on November 19. Freeman was held while collecting the $10,000 from the complainant, while Burton was arrested based on the statement given to the police by the complainant.
The case will again be mentioned on Thursday.
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